Double Duty Amp

Steel guitar amplifiers, effects, etc.

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

Post Reply
User avatar
Vincent Nugent
Posts: 12
Joined: 20 Apr 2021 10:07 am
Location: New York, USA

Double Duty Amp

Post by Vincent Nugent »

I have a Beard Josh Swift Standard dobro with a Fishman Nashville pickup and a Jackson Maverick HD E9 pedal steel. I have a Fishman Loudbox mini for the dobro and a Peavey Nashville 1000 (too heavy) for the psg. I'm looking for any recommendations for an amp that can do double duty. Thank you.
D Schubert
Posts: 1053
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 12:01 am
Location: Columbia, MO, USA

Post by D Schubert »

Quilter Micro-Pro, lightweight and more features than you'll ever use. I have 8" combo version and separate head (with various speaker cabinets). Have used for pedal steel, lap steel, acoustic & electric guitar, dobro, and mandolin.
User avatar
Larry Dering
Posts: 5076
Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Post by Larry Dering »

You might consider the Fender ToneMaster Twin since it has 2 separate channels. Not sure on a Dobro. Hard to beat the Fishman Loudbox for acoustic tone.
User avatar
Dave Hopping
Posts: 2221
Joined: 28 Jul 2008 4:18 pm
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Contact:

Post by Dave Hopping »

A single-channel amp will do double duty if you use the amp's EQ for the main instrument and put an EQ stompbox in the secondary instrument's signal chain.If the amp has 2 inputs, use both of them. If only one, an A/B box right before the front of the amp will work.
I've done that with my Session 500, NV112,and Milkman Half & Half.
User avatar
Vincent Nugent
Posts: 12
Joined: 20 Apr 2021 10:07 am
Location: New York, USA

Post by Vincent Nugent »

Thank you all for the suggestions.
Karl Paulsen
Posts: 643
Joined: 28 Jun 2015 5:34 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Post by Karl Paulsen »

If lightweight is the key, then I think you'd be well served by Tonemaster Twin, Quilter or Milkman Half and Half. As Dave points out, not all those are 2-channel amps, but they've got plenty of flexibility and clarity.

As Larry says though, you might not get anything as nice as the Fishman for acoustic. My guitarist swears by his Fishman.

If you end up really wanting to stick with the Fishman, the Nashville 112, Half and Half, and various Quilter combos are so light that you might actually prefer hauling one of them and a Fishman rather than a larger do-it-all amp.
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel

Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/
Karl Paulsen
Posts: 643
Joined: 28 Jun 2015 5:34 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Post by Karl Paulsen »

One last suggestion. I think anyone looking for an amp (especially for multiple purposes) owes it to themselves to stop into a local shop and at least try out a Fender Rumble 200. Bass amps these days are quite versatile and full range in terms of flexibility and 200 watts and a 15" in a 34 pound package is pretty impressive.

Doesn't hurt that it's cheaper than most other lightweight options.
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel

Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/
Joe Kaufman
Posts: 272
Joined: 5 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Lewiston, Idaho

Post by Joe Kaufman »

I had always thought that a Peavey Austin 400 (one acoustic channel and one electric channel) would work well like that I believe it has the tweeter on only for the acoustic channel. Very inexpensive (my brother bought one for $100 a few years ago). Sounds great just ugly and heavy.
Tom Gorr
Posts: 2311
Joined: 12 Sep 2000 12:01 am
Location: Three Hills, Alberta

Post by Tom Gorr »

I'm going to suggest an early 70s SF Bandmaster Reverb.

I have many amps including a Loudbox Mini and Genz Benz Shenandoah LT150 both of which are great acoustic and vocal amps... but really do not do well with steel guitar or electric anything.

I also have a 72 BMR and its very unique quality is that it has a hi-fi yet tubey sound that works very nicely for both acoustic and electric instruments. I have used it with a smallcondenser mic'd dobro, piezo driven acoustic guitars, electric guitats, steel guitar and even vocal mics when needed.

I've used it as a stage monitor, PA, and basic instrument amp.

It's a very flexible one-size fits all rig.

I happen to have the original matching cab with 2x JBL k120 speakers but it works even better with a closed back Jbl D130 speaker for many situations.

The mods I would like to do is change tonestack component values on one channel to blackface specs to give two voicing possibilities. Another would be to make it switchable to class A to offer a major change in feel and tone for certain electric guitar situations.
Post Reply